10Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. [25:11] If then I have done wrong and have committed anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing to the charges they bring against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to Caesar!" [25:12] Then Festus, after consulting with his council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go."
ACT 25:10-12
Paul Appeals to Caesar
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman legal system, the (judgment seat) was a symbol of imperial authority, where magistrates like Festus administered justice. Roman citizens, like Paul, had the right to appeal to Caesar , bypassing local jurisdiction and seeking a hearing before the emperor himself. This appeal was a formal legal privilege, rooted in Roman citizenship, and could not be denied. Festus, as a Roman governor, was obligated to respect this right, even if it complicated his political position. The (Council) referenced here were advisors who assisted Roman officials in legal matters, though their role was consultative, not decisive. Paul’s assertion that he had done no wrong to the Jews reflects his awareness of the honor-shame dynamics of the Roman courtroom, where accusations needed to be substantiated. His willingness to face death if guilty underscores the Roman legal principle of accountability, while his appeal to Caesar highlights his strategic use of his Roman citizenship to ensure a fair trial.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
ACT 25:10
- KJV
- Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
- BSB
- Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
- Koinōnos
- Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
ACT 25:11
- KJV
- For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
- BSB
- If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- Koinōnos
- If then I have done wrong and have committed anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing to the charges they bring against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to Caesar!
ACT 25:12
- KJV
- Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
- BSB
- Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
- Koinōnos
- Then Festus, after consulting with his council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.9.2
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.9.3
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 20.6.3
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.9.2
“Now Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius, sent by night those images of Caesar that are called ensigns into Jerusalem.”
Cited to ground: Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.9.3
“On the next day Pilate sat upon his tribunal, in the open market-place, and called to him the multitude, as desirous to give them an answer”
Cited to ground: the (judgment seat) was a symbol of imperial authority, where magistrates like Festus administered justice.
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 20.6.3
“Now Cumanus, and the principal of the Samaritans, who were sent to Rome, had a day appointed them by the emperor whereon they were to have pleaded their cause”
Cited to ground: Roman citizens, like Paul, had the right to appeal to Caesar
Translator's notes
ACT 25:10
- judgment seat:The term translated 'judgment seat' refers specifically to the raised platform or tribunal from which Roman magistrates, like Festus, heard cases and pronounced sentences. It was a symbol of Roman authority and justice.
ACT 25:11
- giving up.:The word translated 'giving up' carries a sense of granting a favor or showing grace, often implying a release from obligation or a pardon. It's more than just handing over.
- I appeal!:When Paul says 'I appeal!', the word used indicates a formal legal action to transfer a case to a higher authority, specifically to the Roman Emperor. It was a recognized right of Roman citizens.
ACT 25:12
- Council:The 'Council' mentioned here refers to the consilium, a group of advisors or assessors that a Roman magistrate would consult before making important decisions, especially in legal matters.